Senator Adams Oshiomhole has thrown his weight behind a tough approach to tackling violent crime, insisting that security operatives should shoot armed criminals on sight without hesitation.
The former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District made the remarks during an interview on TVC News on Monday.
Oshiomhole faulted the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for what he described as an apologetic posture over the use of lethal force against armed offenders.
“That’s why when this IG was saying he didn’t say ‘shoot at sight,’ why is he apologetic? Shoot at sight. If you see a criminal, shoot on sight,” the lawmaker declared.
His comments come in the wake of a clarification by the Nigeria Police Force that the IGP did not issue a blanket “shoot-on-sight” order. The Force explained that Disu had referenced Force Order 237, which sets out the legal and operational conditions under which police officers may deploy firearms in line with established Rules of Engagement.
In the same interview, Oshiomhole commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for appealing a court judgment that sentenced certain convicted offenders to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.
“I have said that judges should implement the law, not their personal sentiment. I’m also happy that the DSS is doing its job. They have appealed the judgment where people who should have been condemned to death were given life imprisonment,” he stated.
The senator further identified insecurity as President Bola Tinubu’s biggest political risk ahead of the 2027 general election. He urged the President to set firm deadlines for service chiefs to deliver measurable results in the fight against insecurity and to hold them accountable.
Oshiomhole noted that the administration has already put necessary macroeconomic measures in place, recruited additional personnel into the armed forces, and created new army divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture. He stressed, however, that insecurity remains the critical limiting factor that must be urgently addressed.